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Topic Review (Newest First)

11-10-2012 01:36 PM

vicky2200

I love them equally but have different relationships with them. Dakota is the eldest, so he gets whatever spot on the couch that he wants. Usually the other dogs will move for him but sometimes we have to tell them to move. I don't feel like this is playing favorites because he has bad hips and is more comfortable on the couch. At bedtime, daisy sleeps with my brother because she is " his" dog. Ditto and Weegee sleep with me. Dakota has to stay downstairs, which I hate doing, because he has a hard time getting back down the steps, which is dangerous. They all get treats at the same time and none of them feel left out. I will say that I am lucky that they get along so well.

11-10-2012 12:49 PM

wolfy dog

Mine have their own personal accounts with me. I wouldn't want to miss one more over the other.

11-09-2012 10:02 PM

Kaiser2012

I love them differently, but not one more than the other.

Dakota is my heart dog. She is amazingly gentle, sweet, and engaging. Strangers adore her and I swear she is part human some days. She is incredibly intelligent but lives to be with me...not to work for me. She is not a snuggler but she always has to know where I am. If I get one kiss from her when I get home, that was still the best kiss of the day.

Kaiser is snuggly when he is very sleepy or when he wants something (ie to go outside to potty or to eat breakfast). He is a silly boy who never ceases to put a smile on my face. He is also greatly loved but being more vocal than Dakota he does tend to scare more people (even though he is just saying "hello"...and yes, we are working on this). I think he is my heart dog too...but in a different way.

Dakota fulfills my need for a best friend. Kaiser, a constant companion. Dakota has such a soft, inviting demeanor. Kaiser is full of piss and vinegar. Dakota warms my soul. Kaiser keeps me young. I could go on and on.

They are both more special to me than I can articulate

11-09-2012 09:52 PM

Debbieg

Interesting question . We have three dogs in the house, but only Benny is mine. I am hoping to get a new pup soon and believe I will love each one equally. I had four children in 4 1/2 years and the capacity to love just came with each one. Sometimes I would spend more time and attention on one that had special needs, but the love for the others was not less. It is a balancing act.

I do worry about having the time to give each dog, being able to meet their needs so that they know they are loved, but believe it will work out after seeing so many others who can do it.

My heart dogs have always been GSD's but I am thinking about getting an English Shepherd for my new pup, because they seem to have less health issues, but something just keeps pulling me back to the GSD.

11-09-2012 07:17 PM

arycrest

No, I've never loved all the Hooligans the same ... some I loved more than others ... some I liked more than others ... but I have loved all of the an awful lot, I adore the crew I have now, still mourn the ones I've lost. I've had friends who loved all their dogs the same, I never could understand how they could while they don't understand why I can't.

11-09-2012 10:33 AM

Lilie

No, each dog fills a different need with me. Hondo is my easiest dog. Because he's easy, I take him with me a lot more than the others. Maggie is my neediest dog. So she forces my attention. Tug has aviodance issues. I have to make sure I spend time with him. Lonestar is my hardest dog and my greatest challenge, so he is more fun to work with. I spend more focused time with Lonestar because he requires it.

11-09-2012 10:28 AM

EJQ

Love them all equally - however, there are things the I LIKE more in one than the other.

11-09-2012 10:24 AM

shepherdmom

Over the years We've had many dogs, up to 5 at one time. They are ALL loved but yes some are more special to me than others and some are more special to my husband or to one of the kids. I've been blessed with two heart dogs... Duffy my boxer mixed with stupid and Shadow the GSD I lost last year to DM. Right now Ivan is so different and so less intense and more gentle than any dog I've ever had he is helping to heal my heart. Buddy is Shadows brother and looks and this is probably going to sound wierd but when I hug on him he smells like Shadow. Buddy's favorite person is off at college so we are closer than ever. Tasha is a doll but she is clearly my husbands girl of course when she gives me that shepherd quizical look my heart just melts. So all are loved but yes some dogs more than others will hold a special place in my heart.

11-09-2012 09:19 AM

TimberGSD2

I definitely have a favorite, although it's not the one I do the most with. Kya, my old girl has been my heart and soul for 12 years. She will get extra treats, gets to be loose in the house, and there are certain things only she gets to do (like go uptown for ice cream). Now I spend more time with Milla, we go to training twice a week, work on obedience and tracking almost daily, she goes running and hiking with me. Poor Phinneas claims he's left out but he is spoiled in his own right.

11-09-2012 07:36 AM

huntergreen

i have 2 jrt, 1 airedale and a gsd. i like them all for different reasons. spend more time with the gsd, kyra, as she could be of leash.

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